Chapter 51

I only survived Thor's onslaught because he wasn't hitting with full force and because my body was enhanced through atomic restructuring. However, the exchange worked in my favor, as I managed to pull both of us into the Mirror Dimension.

"Get off me!" I shouted, sending a wave of psionic energy at Thor. The blast pushed him away, giving me a brief moment to catch my breath.

All my electromagnetic manipulation was focused on restraining Thor's hammer. Mjolnir hovered in the air, jerking and vibrating as if trying to break free from invisible chains. But Thor didn't wait for his hammer's return; he charged at me. His movements were quick and determined, and I knew that in a fair fight, I'd be at a serious disadvantage.

Thor struck, and I barely had time to erect a telekinetic shield to block it. The impact was so powerful that the shield cracked, and I was sent flying backward, the air knocked out of my lungs.

"Don't think you can defeat me, mortal!" Thor bellowed, his voice filled with fury.

He raised his hand, and lightning shot from his fingers, heading straight for me. I concentrated, absorbing the electric charge and redirecting it back at Thor. The lightning struck him in the chest, pushing him back.

"You talk too much, Thor," I said, getting back on my feet and launching a telekinetic strike at him.

Thor took the hit but quickly recovered and charged at me again. His fists flew toward me, and I barely managed to dodge and block each blow. Every punch felt like a hammer, and each block was a strain on my reinforced body.

I retaliated with a series of rapid strikes, but Thor dodged them with ease, his combat experience and strength far superior. Suddenly, he grabbed my arm and hurled me through the air. I crashed into a building, pain shooting through my body.

BAM

I barely managed to raise a shield to absorb the next lightning strike. But the shockwave sent me plummeting several floors down.

"Where have you taken me?" Thor demanded.

It was hard for him not to notice that there were no people around.

"To an arena that can handle the aftermath of our fight."

Thor's eyes sparked with lightning, his face resolute. He raised his hand again, and another bolt of lightning shot toward me. I deflected it with a telekinetic shield, but the force was so great that I felt the shield start to crack.

"Enough!" I shouted, channeling all my power into a massive psionic blast.

The energy exploded outward, striking Thor and throwing him back. He fell but quickly recovered and charged at me once more. His hammer returned to him, and he swung it, aiming for a crushing blow. I used telekinesis to hold the hammer in place, but Thor was too strong. He broke through my resistance, his power relentless.

"You think you can defeat me, mortal?" Thor roared, swinging his hammer directly at me.

I focused, channeling all my energy into creating an electromagnetic field around myself. The hammer struck the field, and energy exploded around us in a blinding flash of light. I felt the tension rising and knew I couldn't hold out much longer.

"I won't give up!" I yelled, unleashing all my remaining energy in a telekinetic strike.

The blow was so powerful that it sent Thor crashing into a building. He staggered as he got up, but his determination was unwavering. He charged at me again, and I knew this fight would continue until one of us fell.

"Mortal, you're too arrogant," Thor said, his voice filled with anger. "But no matter, you will learn humility!"

He raised his hand to summon lightning, but the bolt he expected never came. A grin spread across my face.

"Didn't work?" I said, watching Thor's eyes widen in surprise.

Before he could respond, I focused and delivered a powerful mental strike. Thor grabbed his head, his face contorted in pain.

"ARGH!!!"

The precious seconds gained from this attack allowed me to cast the necessary spell. Energy began to gather at the tips of my fingers.

"When you regain consciousness, Thor, I'll hold you accountable. This spell cost me a significant amount of life energy."

The energy at my fingertips grew, forming intricate patterns and symbols. I felt the spell gaining strength, fueled by my life force. Streams of magic began to swirl around us, forming radiant ribbons of light.

Thor tried to rise, his face twisted in pain and rage. He raised his hand, preparing to strike, but I was quicker. The spell was complete, and I directed all its power straight at Thor.

A burst of energy engulfed Thor in a blinding light. I felt the magic surge through him, binding and cleansing his mind. Thor screamed, his body tensed, but he couldn't resist the power of the spell.

"As expected from you, Richards," I heard a familiar voice.

I acted instantly. Lightning nearby obeyed my will and struck the source of the voice.

"Well, well," the unbearably arrogant voice of Victor von Doom sounded unaffected by the lightning strike. "We haven't seen each other in quite some time."

Thor tried to aim his hammer at Doom, but Victor was faster. A magical spell sent Thor back to the real world.

"I'm surprised you came here in person. Have you run out of robots?" My enhanced senses confirmed that this was indeed the real Victor von Doom.

"Doom wouldn't let anyone else destroy Reed Richards," Victor said, and I detected a hint of reluctant respect in his words.

I gathered all my will and focused. Now I had to fight not only the God of Thunder but also one of the most dangerous bastards in the Marvel Multiverse.

"Bold words." I concentrated my energy, preparing for the next attack. I could sense that his armor was equipped with technology that prevented me from using Magneto's powers on him, as well as telepathic defenses that shielded his mind.

Victor smirked, his eyes gleaming with cold fire.

"You've always been too confident, Richards. But this time, I'll show you that even your new powers aren't enough."

He waved his hands, and magical symbols glowed in the air. I felt the space around us begin to warp, filling with energy. Doom's magical spells and technology merged into a single dance of power and destruction.

I responded by directing lightning and psionic energy straight at the center of Victor's spells. The air between us crackled with sparks and flashes as our forces collided. Magic and science intertwined, creating a vortex of energy that threatened to obliterate everything around us.

"You've been a thorn in my side for too long, Richards," he shouted, focusing all his power on breaking through my defenses.

BAM

The shockwave shattered everything around us, leaving the air thick with the scent of ozone and magical energy. I concentrated, struggling to maintain my protective field, but Victor's onslaught was overwhelming.

"Turos Velgorum!" Doom intoned, his voice echoing like an ancient incantation, and the space around us began to distort.

I felt my defense cracking, crumbling under the force of the spell. Victor gave me no respite; his attacks grew more furious and devastating.

"You think you can defeat me, Richards?" Victor sneered, his eyes gleaming with cold fire. "You've underestimated my power."

I mustered all my will and launched a counterattack. Psionic energy fused with electromagnetic fields, creating a powerful pulse that surged toward Victor. The explosion of energy rippled through the space, making the barriers tremble.

"Iskaroth Nimbalus!" Victor shouted.

My instincts screamed danger. I knew that this spell could kill me. Driven by the instinct for self-preservation, I acted.

I unleashed all the energy within me. A colossal beam of energy obliterated the protective barrier on Victor's armor.

His armor was once again vulnerable to me.

CRUNCH

Victor's helmet crumpled as if under a press. But the spell remained, and I had no time to create a counterspell.

"Damn it," I muttered as my body was swallowed by a tear in the fabric of space.

—\\—

—= New York City =—

Thor Odinson, upon returning to Midgard, was only momentarily surprised before quickly assessing the situation and springing into action. His sharp gaze fell upon the Chitauri army, which was wreaking havoc and chaos throughout the city.

"HOW DARE YOU?!" he thundered, his voice booming over the clamor of battle.

Thor raised Mjolnir, and lightning gathered around him, illuminating the sky with brilliant flashes. He hurled his hammer at the approaching enemies, and a powerful bolt of lightning struck their ranks, scattering dozens of Chitauri in all directions. The streets were littered with metal debris and the remnants of their flesh, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

"THIS WORLD IS UNDER MY PROTECTION!" Thor roared as he charged into the thick of the battle.

His strikes were swift and precise, every movement honed by centuries of combat experience. He tore through the enemies with relentless force, Mjolnir striking with such power that even the armored Chitauri couldn't withstand his blows. Chaos reigned around him, but for Thor, it was a familiar element—he was the embodiment of fury and might.

The Chitauri attempted to surround him, hoping to overwhelm him with sheer numbers, but Thor was unstoppable. Lightning crackled from his hands, tearing through their ranks, shredding armor and flesh alike. Every swing of his hammer brought death and destruction to his foes.

"WHERE IS LOKI?!"

—= Steve Rogers =—

"The witch is neutralized," Rogers' voice came through the communicator.

He glanced at the God of Thunder, who was aiding them, and realized that Richards had been right—Thor was a valuable ally.

"Good. Let's rendezvous at Stark Tower. Over and out," Rogers said, cutting off the communication.

Then he turned to Thor and, after a brief thought, added, "Loki is at Stark Tower. If you want, you can come with me."

Out of the corner of his eye, Captain America caught movement to his right. Thor noticed it too, and they simultaneously hurled their weapons.

BAM

The alien was reduced to pulp. The shield returned to Rogers with its familiar dull thud.

"Hold on," Thor said, grabbing the captain by the arm.

Rogers barely had time to register what Thor was about to do before they shot into the air. The wind howled in his ears, and the world became a blur of light and color. Lightning crackled around them, forming a glowing cocoon.

"Not every day you get to fly like this," Rogers shouted over the noise.

Thor grinned, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of battle. They streaked toward Stark Tower, leaving a trail of lightning and destruction in their wake.

—= Stark Tower =—

At that moment, Iron Man was engaged in battle against the God of Mischief from Asgard, who wielded powerful magic. The rooftop of Stark Tower provided him with the space he needed for maneuvering.

"Did you really think your iron suit could defeat me?!" Loki sneered, his voice dripping with scorn and fury.

ZZT

Daggers, seemingly conjured from thin air, easily sliced through the metal of Tony's armor.

"ME?! AN ASGARDIAN GOD?!"

Green beams of pure energy shot from Loki's hands. Stark barely dodged them, thanks only to JARVIS calculating their trajectory in advance and forcing the suit to move accordingly.

Tony's gaze flicked to the status display of his armor. Numerous minor damages were individually insignificant, but together, they created a critical situation.

"Agreed. Facing you alone wasn't my best idea," Stark admitted, his voice tense but carrying a note of defiance.

His eyes shifted to the space behind Loki.

BAM

Loki was sent flying several meters by the impact of a shield known to all Americans.

Rogers, holding onto Thor with one hand, had thrown his shield with remarkable precision. The shield ricocheted back into Captain America's hands as he landed on the rooftop.

Thor grabbed Mjolnir and advanced toward Loki.

"You forgot, brother, that I am here," Thor said, his voice full of strength and determination.

Loki turned, his face contorted in rage.

"As usual, you arrive at the worst time, brother," he hissed through gritted teeth.

"Loki, you've caused enough harm already," Thor growled.

Loki attacked again, his magic filling the air with green bursts of energy. Thor parried the attacks, his hammer clashing with Loki's magic in dazzling explosions of power.

"Perfect," Tony muttered, pushing his systems to their limits.

He rejoined the battle, his repulsors glowing brightly as they unleashed powerful blasts at Loki. The clash of Loki's magic and Thor's hammer created chaos on the rooftop.

The battle was fierce; every move Loki made was filled with malice and determination, but Thor was the stronger warrior. Captain America and Iron Man fought in tandem, their coordinated attacks forcing Loki to retreat. Rogers used his shield both defensively and offensively, blocking Loki's strikes and delivering his own. Tony maintained constant pressure from the air, his repulsors preventing Loki from gaining any ground.

BAM!

A devastating blow from Thor's hammer sent Loki sprawling to the ground. Unconscious, Loki lay motionless. Thor, breathing heavily, confirmed that his brother was no longer a threat.

"Nice work," Tony said, landing next to Thor. His armor bore the marks of numerous hits and magical attacks, but he stood firm.

Captain America approached, sliding his shield onto his back. He glanced around, noticing the closing portals.

"Looks like the portals are starting to close," Rogers observed. "Hopefully, this is the end."

—= Some Time Later =—

"Is he alive?" Tony asked.

Everyone had heard Thor's words about being attacked by Victor von Doom in the Mirror Dimension, which led to Richards' disappearance.

They all stared at the data transmitted by Reed Richards' suit. The readings were coming from Limbo, a transitional point between their universe and countless others.

"Yes," she sighed with immense relief in her voice. "But his body is drifting farther and farther from our universe."

—= Reed Richards =—

What lies between universes? Between dimensions? I discovered the answer to this question firsthand. Emptiness. Absolute and all-consuming emptiness. This is a place devoid of any substance, where there is no light, no sound, no time. A darkness devoid of even a hint of existence.

I managed to withstand this onslaught thanks to my powers. In this endless journey through the void, I expended an enormous amount of energy just to survive. Every moment here was a test; every movement required maximum concentration and willpower.

My telepathy and telekinesis became my shields, protecting me from the void's destructive effects. Electromagnetic control allowed me to create a barrier that kept me stable. But even with these abilities, I could feel the void trying to consume me, to strip me of my strength and sanity.

My body suffered under the constant strain, and every moment was a battle for survival.

But I adapted to the void, only to face something far more challenging ahead. Transitioning from absolute emptiness to the dark edges of the universe was a trial beyond my comprehension. This place was inhabited by entities that existed beyond time and space, whose nature defied my understanding.

When I entered this zone, my mind immediately sensed their presence. Their voices whispered like the murmur of the universe, unseen and soundless. Each of them embodied ancient and terrifying powers, their thoughts seeping into my mind, leaving imprints of madness.

The pressure of these forces overwhelmed me, causing me to lose consciousness.

"I must have looked pretty bad at that moment," a voice echoed in the void.

The entities in that place were forced to retreat under the pressure of the voice's owner

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